Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-10-06
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Balance available for completion OF con-
tract for extension NJ 18th 81 reat\ la-


REPAIRS TO CONCRETE PAYMENTS.
The report gives also tabular statements show
Ing the expenditure Of the So. 900 appropriated for
repairs to concrete payements, and the yearly in
crease In area or concreted streets maintained by
the District Some OF the old coal-tar pavements
the report says, are now In very bad condition,
aud for the next few years extensive reSurfacing
VIII De necessary. The appropriation for 1888 50
should not be less than 100000 In many respects
this appropriation IS of even more importance
than that for street improvements.
TELEGRAPH LINES.
During the year 225 telegraph poles belonging
to different lines were removed from streets md
alleys and .:}9 were erected. The general policy
has been to restrict permits to replacement OF
poles on existing lines where such poles were too
short In consequence OF the growth OF trees had
erected in new localities where by the use OF taller
and stronger poles the total number of poles on
the me coiid be reduced. Permits have also been
Issued TO Inherent companies for the erection OF
poles when the joint use by the tire-alarm and
District wires was guaranteed, but only in cases
where the necessity OF such poles certified to
by the general superintendent telegraph and
telephone service; 1896 lineal feet of un-
derground Wire We're laid by the District On
july last, the Chesapeake Potomac Telephone
company had 1,3Ola miles, the fire alarm and
District telegraph 2o.o miles, the Postal Telegraph
OF miles and the Baltimore Ohio Company =
miles, and the United States Government lines
III 10 miles or underground wires in operation.
ELECTRIC LIGHTING.
The use OF uninsulated wires for incandeScent
arc-light systems became a subject ofinvestiga-
ton on complaint OF the chief OF the fire depart
ment against the stringing OF such wires on +
street northwest. To ascertain the common prac-
tce in this respect in this country Capt. Griffin adj
dressed letters to the officials OF various cities
asking the specific question: care uninsuIatei
wires used for air line tncandScent light circuits
by electric lighting companies in your c1ty?" The
report contains synopsis OF the replies received.
The weight OF practice, Capt Griffin says, is
strongly in favor of insulation The objections to
uninsulated wires for 1ncandeScent circuits, in
which the current Is not dangerous, are the moral
effect On flrerlen, who cannot distinguish between
an electric light wire and telegraph wire; the
liability to accidents from unexpected Shocks and
the dangers attending adynamO current, and from
crossing with telegraph or telephone wires.
Insulated wires cost about % per cent more than
the bare wires. The report embraces also report
electric lighting or 9TH street the night OF Au-
gust 20 last. That street. from Pennsylvania ave-
nue. to 7 street northwest is lighted by thirty
lamps Changes suggested by Capt. Griffin TO Inn
prove the service have been made by the United
States Electric Lighting Co.
THE PARKING COMMISSION.
"The report OF the parking commission, for
whose work $4,000 was appropriated" Capt
Griffin says, 'contains much valuable and inter-
esting Information, and several recommendations
deserving special consideration.
Il. The necessity for the destruction OF valuable
trees in order to erect awnings would be obviated
II the rule was adopted that the supporting rods
for awnings be set on line about two feet inside
the curbStoneS. This would not interfere With
travel being about the inside line OF the tree
boxes"
Lined with shade trees, as most of our streets
are, the space near the curb for q width OF about
three fe is practically useless part of the side
walk for continuous travel. The placing OF sup
porting rods for awning on line with the inner
side OF the tree boxes would not interfere with
travel, particularly II were taken to put rods
opposite trees as far as practicable. This method
Is certainly preferable TO the sacrifice OF the trees
.. The commission consider IL tmpracticable to
retain FUNDS Tor the removal OF caterpillar webs
toward the close or the fiscal year beginning OF
sunmer because OF the uncertainty OF the
amount Of such work required. They suggest that
this uncertainty might be met by special fund
appropriated Tor the purpose, to be used as re-
qulreJ." special appropriation OF $4,000 for the
removal or caterpillar WEBS TO be made available
on the lst or May, would certainly go far toward
Kidding the city or this pest.
The following Is summary OF the years work
as contraSted with that OF the previous year: